A study sponsored by Eli Lilly and Company suggests that the Prkinson's disease drug pergolide may be effective in the treatment of restless legs syndrome. Earlier tests have indicating this involved only a small number of test subjects. This recent study involved 100 patients with RLS varying in age from 18 to 75 years and from several countries.
"Our study demonstrates that pergolide substantially improves PLMD measures and subjective sleep disturbances associated with RLS," says Dr. Claudia Trenkwalder, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology at Georg August University in Goettingen, Germany. She goes on to say that the low-dose pergolide treatment was well tolerated.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movement disorder affect 5% to 10% of the population, attacking mostly women and becomes more prevalent with age. It causes burning and itching sensations in the legs which, in turn, results in a need to continually move the legs. This disturbs sleep and, if severe, can cause sleep deprivation.
Besides the use of drugs, RLS may be temporarily relieved by some of the following methods:
- Gently massage your legs, especially the calves. Use liniment if you like.
- Take a warm bath. If you have one, try a whirlpool bath.
- Take a mild pain reliever in the evening when the sensations first set in.
- Try some moderate exercise earlier in the day. don't overdo. Strenuous exercise may aggravate the problem.
- Avoid alcohol. Not only does it sometimes aggravate the restless legs, it also causes fragmented sleep.
- Avoid caffeine. It can keep you awake and make your misery all the worse.
- Nicotine is a stimulant and can worsen your problem as well as keep you awake.
- Taking a multi vitamin/mineral supplement is sometimes helpful.
- Cold compresses often alleviate the crawly sensation.
- Talk to your doctor about medications. Something you are taking may be aggravating or even causing the syndrome.
- Also talk to your doctor about some of the drugs that have proven effective in the treatment of restless legs.
- If all else fails, try walking away the misery.
If RLS is becoming severe and disturbing your rest, why not talk to your doctor about medication. He may be able to help.
